pocketlizard

Heading to Spain for a business trip and I have a few extra days before my conference to do some sightseeing! I'll be flying into Madrid and my conference is in Cadiz, so I'll have to eventually end up down there. I have about 4 or 5 days to do fun stuff, but I've never been to Spain so I'm not sure where to go!

Some travel around the area is possible (I've heard good things about Lisbon so did a little bit of digging looking at transport), but I'd like to keep it on the cheap side.

Christina

There is a direct AVE train that goes there from Madrid in only 4 hrs. You don't say when you plan to do this, but is there some reason you don't want to see Madrid? That train goes through Cordoba and Seville, also.

I really don't understand why you are throwing Lisbon into this when you are flying in and out of Spain, only have a couple days and have never seen Spain.

You could just spend it in Madrid, or spend it all in Seville or split between those two, a couple days in each. That's what I would do.

Christina

sorry, train appears to be called an Arco or Alvia not AVE, the direct one. Not familiar with those terms but in any case, it is direct.

cruiseluv

If You've never been in Spain, I would recommend basing yourself in Madrid and maybe do a day trip to Toledo or Segovia. Many, many threads detailing things to do in Madrid and nearby area, just do a little research. Then take the train to Cadiz as suggested above.

Bedar

Stay in Madrid. There is tons of stuff to see and do there. Perhaps do a day trip to Toledo and then get on the train for Cadiz.

pocketlizard

Great, thanks! Really I was only thinking about Portugal because I've never really thought about traveling in Spain but I knew that Lisbon was a city I'd like to visit eventually. But I think you're all right, it makes more sense to explore Spain and find fun things to do there!

kja

It really depends on your interests.

You might want to consult a good guidebook or two. IMO, the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> and <i>Rough Guide</i> are particularly good.

kimhe

As suggested above, Madrid is tons of fun and things to do and see, but fabulous Córdoba - once the most advanced city in the Western world - and Sevilla - the undisputed Queen of the cities in the South of Spain are both on the high speed AVE train line from Madrid en route to Cádiz.

Córdoba: http://english.turismodecordoba.org/index2.cfm
"Vida & genio" (Life & spirit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk

Sevilla: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/seville
http://www.visitasevilla.es/en
And when in Sevilla, go to "Soulful Triana": https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/s...-neighbourhood

cruiseluv

With all due respect to Lisbon lovers, I dont think there's any comparison between Madrid and Lisbon, but that's just me.